Hajj 2025: NAHCON constitutes panel for air carriers

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has constituted a 32-man screening and Aviation Monitoring Committee for 2025 Hajj air carriers and cargo conveyors.

Also inaugurated was a six-man secretariat for the Committee which sets the pace for a series of activities that will culminate in the selection of pilgrims’ air carriers as well as excess luggage freighters for the 2025 Hajj exercise.

The inauguration was followed by the opening of Application Forms for the Issuance of Hajj Licence for the airlift of the 2025 pilgrims from Nigeria.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, described the ceremony as an important activity that demands commitment due to the magnitude of work involved and its significance to successful operations.

NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Usara, who disclosed this in a statement urged the members to work within the terms of reference towards providing excellent services to pilgrims.

The Committee, chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspection and Licensing (OILS), Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi draws membership from several aviation industry managers as well as stakeholders from the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, representatives from the Presidency, Security Agencies and NAHCON staff.

The composition of the Committees includes five representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Similarly, one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Others are NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.

Usara noted that 11 airlines, including two from Saudi Arabia sent applications indicating interest in the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

From Saudi Arabia under the airlift bilateral agreement are FlyNas and Flyadeal.

She said: “Nine applications were from Nigerian airline companies; they are Air Peace, GYRO Air Limited, Max Air Ltd, Nahco Aviance, Tarco Aviation, Umra Airline Limited standing for Ethiopian Airlines, UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Value Jet and Trebet Aviation Ltd.

“Meanwhile, five cargo companies applied for excess luggage transportation. They are Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies, Qualla Investment, Kiswah Logistics Services Limited, and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo.

The panel is mandated to determine the suitability and capability of the applicants in line with the extant Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations and ICAO standards and recommended practices;

Elegushi called on members to be ready to work day and night in order to conclude their assignments within the timeframe allotted.

While reminding them of the crucial place aviation occupies in the operation of Hajj, Elegushi assured all stakeholders that the screening will be conducted in a very transparent manner.

The commissioner described last year’s Hajj airlift as successful having concluded both the outbound and inbound flights earlier than slated.